Journal #5 Mark Twain

Shirly Ong
English 48B
24 January, 2008
Journal #5 Mark Twain

Quote”
"'All right, then, I’ll go to hell'"

Summary:
This is a famous quote from Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huck struggled whether he should free Miss Watson’s slave Jim. He was anxious because he believed that he would go to hell if he free a slave. This quote is what Huck said to himself when he decided.

Response:
In this story, Mark Twain demonstrates what are taught and perceived in the American society at that time. Conceptions and practices in slavery are exclusively included. Huck strongly believes that he will go to hell if he frees a slave. This shows the social perception on slavery at that time. Slaves were not considered human. They were one’s properties. They could be traded. Therefore, freeing one’s slave means stealing. In the twenty-first century, we agree that freeing slaves is a right thing. But in Mark Twain’s time, it is even the biggest sin of all and people believe they will go to hell if they free a slave! This surprises me. It is a ridiculous and horrible perception.

On the other hand, I think Huck is superstitious. Earlier in the story, for example, he believes that killing a spider brings him bad luck. He also believes tying his hair up with a thread can keep witches away. Nevertheless, this quote highlights that Huck believes he will definitely go to hell even though he decided to free Jim. I think these are actually general believes in the south at that time. Huck was taught about these. To me, Mark Twain intentionally makes Huck a superstitious boy so that he can demonstrate the old believes of the nineteenth-century society in the States.

An Astounding Picture of a Slave Auction